Development Charges Coming To Central Frontenac?

Craig Bakay | Jul 05, 2023

Central Frontenac may be joining the ranks of those municipalities who charge development charges, but it’s not likely to happen soon.

Gary Scandian of Watson and Associates gave Council a presentation at its regular meeting June 27 in Sharbot Lake.

“This is an overview that will give you some insights into the mechanics municipalities have to go through as part of the process,” he said.

While there is no mandate from higher governments forcing municipalities to have development charges, Scandian said that about 50 per cent of the “four hundred and some odd municipalities in Ontario” have them, most of them in the south of the province.

The idea behind development charges began in the 1950s to finance increased infrastructure related with increased growth. In larger municipalities with water and sewer, those would be obvious examples but smaller municipalities also face infrastructure costs such as roads, sidewalks, streetlights, policing, fire services, libraries and recreational facilities.

In order for a municipality to have development charges, it must prepare a background study identifying the amount, type and location of expected growth, he said. Then, servicing needs and costs to accommodate said growth need to be calculated, subtracting any potential grants and benefits to existing developments.

“This is certainly something we have thrown around over the years,” said Mayor Frances Smith. “It would be a matter of hiring a consultant to actually go out and actually bring all of those things into place to see what kind of a number we might be looking at.

“But certainly, the phrase that is used is ‘development should pay for development.’”

She said it’s definitely something Council will be looking at over the next couple of years.

“Money is tight so we need to look at ways we can bring in some revenue,” she said.

Council received the presentation for information. Among Central Frontenac’s direct neighbours South Frontenac and Tay Valley charges development fees, but North Frontenac, Addington Highlands, and Stone Mills do not.

Deachman to leave for Lanark County

When Council returned from its closed session at the June 27 meeting, one of the things they did was to announce that Dep. Clerk Cindy Deachman had tendered her resignation.

Deachman said in an interview that she has accepted a position with the County of Lanark in its planning department.

“It was a big decision and I’ll be sad to go because I’ve really enjoyed working with everybody here,” she said. “But this will be much closer to where I live.

“My last day here will be July 21.”

Parking spaces in front of Cardinal Cafe

Public Works Manager Tyson Myers said they’re looking at preserving two parking spaces on Road 38 in front of the Cardinal Café but cautioned, “It’s still a trial.”

Myers said he’d like to see as much parking in the hamlet of Sharbot Lake as possible and suggested there is still “about a half million dollars” left over from the Matthew Street project that would have to be sent back if not used.

Myers suggested he could come up with some spaces along Medical Centre Road in front of the beach.

Procedural bylaw changes rejected, but acknowledgment remains.

Council defeated a motion to bring forth a new version of the Township Procedural Bylaw but voted to continue the practice of opening Council meetings by acknowledging the meeting is happening on unceded aboriginal lands.

New “Mutual Aid” Agreement with NF

Council passed a bylaw to establish an automatic aide agreement with North Frontenac township for fire services. This new agreement differs from the older mutual aid agreement in that previously, departments would have to be asked for help at a particular incident but now in some cases neighbouring fire departments will automatically be dispatched.

Sand dome roof repairs

Council approved a purchase order in the amount of $95,886.03 (before HST) to Barrett’s Farm and Family Center to repair the sand dome roof at the Hinchinbrooke Garage.

Public Works Manager Tyson Myers asked for permission to use the non-competitive purchasing option (ie, not sending out requests for tender) because Barrett’s has done this kind of work for the Township in the past and there just aren’t many companies who do this kind of work.

RV’s at government dock

Coun. Susan Irwin brought up “concerns” of RVs and overnight stays at the government docks in Sharbot Lake.

“There have been reports of people, because their tanks are full, urinating and even defecating on the trail,” she said.

Council agreed to take some measures to make the “no camping” signs more visible.

Technically there is no bylaw stating no camping is allowed there, but Mayor Frances Smith said it is a public place and you can’t camp there “but we just can’t quote a bylaw.”

It also directed staff to include this issue in any proposed parking bylaw.